Man blames hospital for woman's death

CHARLESTON – A Kanawha County man is suing over claims a relative developed a fatal pressure ulcer while hospitalized.

Fred L. Brown, as administrator of the estate of Priscilla J. Brown, filed a lawsuit Sept. 2 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Herbert J. Thomas Memorial Hospital Association, citing negligence.

According to the complaint, Priscilla Brown presented to the defendant's hospital in South Charleston on Oct. 10, 2013, after a fall in her home, and was admitted on Oct. 11, 2013, with fractures of her left hip, humerus and shoulder. The complaint states skin breakdown was noted on Oct. 14 and Oct. 17, 2013, but no change in treatment was made, and her family did not learn of the wound until Oct. 18, 2013.

According to the lawsuit, the pressure ulcer continued to deteriorate, requiring surgery, further hospitalization, a transfer to CAMC Memorial on Nov. 3, 2013, treatment at Select Specialty Hospital on Nov. 7, 2013, and ultimately her death on Dec. 16, 2013.

The defendant is accused of negligence in failing to properly diagnose and treat Brown's pressure ulcer. Fred Brown says the injury incurred funeral and burial expenses and medical bills over $315,000.

Fred Brown is being represented in the case by attorneys Robert V. Berthold Jr. and Robert V. Berthold III of Berthold Law Firm PLLC in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib Jr.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 14-C-1587